Officer Robert Riske, the first patrol officer to respond to 875 South Bundy on the night of June 12-13, 1994, walks the jury through his initial discovery of the two bodies, his careful preservation of the crime scene, his search of the house where he found Nicole's two young children asleep, and his guided tours of the scene with supervisors and eventually Detectives Phillips and Fuhrman. His testimony establishes the condition and location of key evidence — the glove, hat, envelope, bloody footprints, and blood drops on the walkway and rear gate — as it appeared in the first hours after the murders.
# 1 MR. KELLY: Police Officer Robert Riske, please.
ROBERT RISKE, called as a witness on behalf of the plaintiffs, was duly sworn and testified as follows:
# 2 THE CLERK: You do solemnly swear that the testimony you may give in the cause now pending before this court shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
# 3 OFF. ROBERT RISKE: I do.
# 4 THE CLERK: Please, state and spell both your first and your last names for the record.
# 5 OFF. ROBERT RISKE: Robert Riske: R-O-B-E-R-T, R-I-S-K-E.
# 6 THE CLERK: Thank you.
DIRECT EXAMINATION BY MR. KELLY:
# 7 Q: Good morning, Officer.
# 9 Q: Officer Riske, are you currently employed?
# 11 Q: And who are you employed by?
# 12 A: Police officer for the City of Los Angeles.
# 13 Q: And how long have you been so employed?
# 14 A: About six and a half years.
# 15 Q: And on June 13, 1994, were you also employed by the Los Angeles Police Department at that time?
# 17 Q: And what was your assignment with the police department at that time?
# 18 A: I was assigned to patrol.
# 19 Q: Okay. And prior to working for the Los Angeles Police Department, in what capacity were you employed?
# 20 A: I was in the Navy for six and a half years.
# 21 Q: Now, going back to June 13, 1994, you said you were assigned to patrol?
# 23 Q: And out of what district were you assigned to patrol?
# 25 Q: Okay. And when you say you were assigned to patrol, did you wear a uniform?
# 27 Q: And what type of vehicle did you drive at that time, as part of your assignment?
# 28 A: Marked black and white.
# 29 Q: Is that one of those cars with the lights on top --
# 31 Q: -- and police markings?
# 32 (Witness nods affirmatively.) # 33 Q: Now, drawing your attention to June 13, , do you recall what your tour of duty was that day?
# 34 A: Just I was assigned to Brentwood area.
# 35 Q: And what were the hours of your duty that day?
# 36 A: From 11:15 to -- I'm sorry. From 10:30 to 7:15.
# 37 Q: Was that 10:30 p.m. on June 12 --
# 39 Q: -- 1994, to 7:15 --
# 41 Q: -- on the 13th. Okay.
Now, at approximately 12:09 a.m. on June , 1994, did you receive a radio call in your car?
# 43 Q: And what was the substance of that radio call?
# 44 A: I believe it was a prowler, a burglary suspect at 874 South Bundy.
# 45 Q: And was there anybody in the car with you at that time?
# 47 Q: And what was his name?
# 49 Q: As a result of that radio call that you received at 1209 what if anything did you do next?
# 50 A: We drove to 874 South Bundy and we were flagged down.
# 51 Q: When you say you were flagged down, what exactly did you observe upon arriving at 874 South Bundy?
# 52 A: I observed a male and female with a dog, coming down the steps of 868, and they were waving us down.
# 53 Q: Now, did you approach Bundy from the north or south?
# 54 A: From Wilshire Boulevard, which would be the south.
# 55 Q: And you were heading north?
# 57 Q: And as you pulled up to 874 South Bundy, which side of the street did you park on?
# 59 Q: Okay. And after making these initial observations, what did you do when you pulled up in your patrol car?
# 60 A: We exited our vehicle and made contact with a female and male.
# 61 Q: Okay. And other than the male and female, was there anybody else there at this time?
# 63 Q: And you also indicated there was a dog with them, also?
# 65 Q: Okay. Was that dog running loose or in some other manner?
# 66 A: It was on a leash.
# 67 Q: Okay. And can you describe that dog for me.
# 68 A: I believe it was an Akita.
# 69 Q: And did you make any observations as to the Akita's condition as you approached the two people with the dog?
# 70 A: Not at that time, no.
# 71 Q: Okay. After you had a conversation with these two people, what, if anything, did you do next, Officer?
# 72 A: They directed us across the street. They said there was a dead lady across the street.
KEY QUOTE # 73 Q: And do you recall the area in which -- vicinity -- they directed you?
# 75 Q: Okay. And as you approached 875 South Bundy, could you describe the lighting conditions at the front of 875 South Bundy at that time?
# 76 A: It was very poor.
# 79 Q: Okay. And what about the foliage, if any, around the entrance of 875 South Bundy?
# 80 A: There is a large, overhanging tree over the walkway. Made it even darker.
# 81 Q: And were you able to see the front entrance without utilizing your flashlight?
# 83 Q: As you approached 857 South Bundy, where, first, did you direct your attention to?
# 84 A: Towards the grassy areas south of the walkway.
# 85 Q: And did you observe a walkway leading to the front of 875?
# 87 Q: Okay. So as I understand, you first went to an area that went up to that walkway?
# 89 Q: Did you have your flashlight on at that time?
# 91 Q: As you were in that grassy area to the left of the sidewalk of 875 South Bundy, did you make any observations, initially, at this time?
# 93 Q: After your initial observations, which there were none, what, if anything, did you do next, Officer?
# 94 A: The witnesses directed us to the walkway, which would be to the north.
# 95 Q: Okay. That would be to the right of the area you were?
# 97 Q: Okay. What, if anything, did you do after you were directed to that vicinity by the witnesses?
# 98 A: I looked down the walkway, using my flashlight, and saw a female laying on the walkway.
# 99 Q: Okay. Can you describe that female?
# 100 A: Female, white and black dress, blond hair.
# 101 Q: And did you make any other observations as to the area immediately surrounding that woman you observed?
# 102 A: There was blood approximately halfway down the walkway.
# 103 Q: Now, at that time, Officer, on making those observations, would it be fair to say that you recognized that area as a crime scene?
# 105 Q: And being a patrol officer, having just arrived at a crime scene, did you have any duties and responsibilities at that time?
# 106 A: I had called for additional units. We set up for a crime scene, had a call for an ambulance for the lady, called the supervisor.
# 107 Q: And are there any other steps that you're required to take in terms of first arriving at a crime scene, also?
# 108 A: We have to try to clear it for any additional victims or suspects, identify and preserve evidence.
# 109 Q: And were you taking steps to do that immediately upon these observations?
# 111 Q: Okay. Now, after you had gone out and dispatched for additional help and an ambulance, what, if anything, did you do next?
# 112 A: I advised my partner, "Grab a hold of the witnesses, find out what they saw or how they found the lady."
We recontacted them, and I observed a dog to have blood on his legs.
# 113 Q: The Akita you had observed earlier?
# 115 Q: Now, after you made those observations, what, if anything, did you do next, Officer?
# 116 A: We went back across the street to 875 and approached the female. I was approximately halfway up the walkway, and before, in the foliage next to the walkway, and I saw the male leaning against the north fence.
# 117 MR. KELLY: See if I can have 32, please.
Could you make it a little more distant.
# 118 THE COURT: That's good. Just like that.
# 119 Q: (BY MR. KELLY) Now, Officer, are you able to see that photo that's up there right now?
# 121 Q: Could you indicate, first of all for the ladies and gentlemen of the jury, where you had first focused your attention the first time you approached South Bundy, through a pointer on the podium?
# 122 A: You can't see it on this photograph; it's like over here, there's a grassy area.
# 123 Q: That's where you first went?
# 124 A: Initially? Right.
# 125 Q: Now, you indicated that you had called for backup and a supervisor and an ambulance as you approached a second time, also?
# 127 Q: And could you indicate where you approached at that time?
# 128 A: I walked through these plants up to the call box there.
# 129 Q: And did you at any time step on that walkway going up to 875?
# 131 Q: Did your partner step on that walkway going up to 875?
# 133 Q: Now, you also indicated that when you got approximately halfway up there, you had made additional observations?
# 134 A: Yes, that's correct.
# 136 A: I saw the body of Mr. Goldman leaning against the north fence.
# 137 Q: In that photo, as it appears there, there appears to be blood that's running all the way down to the front sidewalk there.
Was that the way it appeared when you arrived there at 12:13 on June 13 --
# 139 Q: -- 1994? Could you indicate with your pointer approximately how far down the blood had run when you arrived there that morning.
# 140 A: About the midpoint.
# 141 MR. KELLY: Now, this next photo might be difficult to look at, also. I Just want you to put up , Steve.
# 142 Q: (BY MR. KELLY) Now, do you recognize that photo, Officer Riske?
# 144 Q: And what do you recognize that to be?
# 145 A: That would be the body of Mr. Goldman, as I saw him that night.
# 146 Q: Okay. And where were you located when you first made that observation?
# 147 A: I was standing in the foliage next to the call box.
# 148 Q: And did you attempt to get any closer at that time when you made that observation?
# 150 MR. KELLY: Steve, could you make that a little more distant, please. That's good.
# 151 Q: (BY MR. KELLY) Now, in addition to the young male you saw in that photo there, did you make any other observations at that time?
# 152 A: There's some articles of evidence in this picture.
# 153 Q: And did you observe them at this time when you had approached the front call box on the lot?
# 155 Q: Can you tell me, first of all, what additional items you observed at that point?
# 156 A: The envelope. There's a glove and a hat underneath the plant (witness indicates).
# 157 Q: Okay. First of all, could you point out the envelope, please.
# 158 (Witness indicates.) # 159 Q: And is that located exactly where it was when you observed it that morning?
# 161 Q: And secondly, could you point out the glove you observed.
# 162 A: This is a bad photo. You can't really see. It's in the same -- it's in that area, but you can't see it clearly.
# 163 MR. KELLY: Could you bring it up closer. Steve.
# 164 A: That would be the glove right there. (Indicating.)
# 165 Q: (BY MR. KELLY) Okay. And are you able to see a portion of that hat, also, in that picture?
# 166 A: I believe the hat is up here a little farther.
# 167 Q: If we go down to the lower right, maybe --
# 168 MR. BLASIER: Objection. Leading.
# 169 THE COURT: Sustained.
# 170 A: Can't really see in that picture.
# 171 Q: (BY MR. KELLY) If I might, if -- can you step up here for a moment, Officer. I direct your attention down to that area there.
# 173 Q: Okay. Now, upon a closer look, do you recall where you observed the hat at this time?
# 175 Q: Where would that be?
# 176 A: In the lower right.
# 177 Q: Can you indicate one more time --
# 178 MR. KELLY: Steve, could you back up a little bit.
# 179 Q: (BY MR. KELLY) Now, can you indicate once again where the hat was, Officer?
# 180 A: It's in the lower right.
# 181 Q: Now, in addition to making those observations, did you make any others in terms of potential evidence in that immediate vicinity at this time?
# 183 Q: And what was that?
# 184 A: There appeared to be a bloody heel mark in the walkway and bloody footprints leading up the steps toward the house.
# 185 Q: The bloody heel print, does that appear in that picture there?
# 186 A: Can't really see it.
# 187 Q: And with regard to the bloody footprints going up the stairs, was that towards the house?
# 188 A: Towards the house.
# 189 Q: Did you observe any bloody footprints in the front sidewalk, going away from the house?
# 191 Q: What, if anything, did you do, Officer, after making this second observation near -- the second time you approached the front gate?
# 192 A: I saw the bloody footprints leading towards the front of the house and observed the front door to be open, and I assumed that the footprints probably went inside. So my partner and I stepped over the body and went to the front door.
# 193 Q: When you stepped over the body, can you describe for us exactly how you were able to do that?
# 194 A: Stay to the far left of the walkway, against the fence.
# 195 MR. KELLY: Steve, can you take that picture down, first of all. I'm sorry.
# 197 A: And went up on a landing, toward the front door.
# 198 Q: And did anybody accompany you at that time?
# 201 A: Officer Terrazas.
# 202 Q: And what, if anything, did you observe as you approached the front door at that time?
# 203 A: I observed the footprints that continued westbound through the walkway, past the house.
# 204 Q: And did you observe anything other than bloody footprints before you reached the front door?
# 205 A: There was a drop of blood. It was on the left of the footprint. I forget exactly where it was.
# 206 Q: That was before you reached the front door?
# 208 Q: And when you arrived at the front door, was it opened or closed?
# 210 Q: And did the bloody footprints appear to head towards the door and continue to the back?
# 211 A: They continued westbound on the walkway.
# 212 Q: As you approached the door, also, was there any indication of a forced entry on that door?
# 214 Q: What, if anything, did you do next as you arrived at the door, Officer?
# 215 A: We entered the residence on the landing, to see if there was any evidence of ransacking or any evidence of blood in the house.
# 216 Q: Did you see any doors open?
# 218 Q: Any cupboards open?
# 220 Q: Any furniture overturned?
# 222 Q: Any sign of ransacking?
# 224 Q: Any indication that the crime scene extended inside the house?
# 226 Q: Any bloody footprints?
# 228 Q: Any drops of blood?
# 230 Q: Anybody in the house at this time?
# 231 A: At that time, we didn't check the whole house, no.
# 232 Q: What, if anything, did you observe after that?
# 233 A: I observed a lithograph on the wall. It appeared to be O.J. Simpson. And as I went to the kitchen, there was an envelope, it had O.J. Simpson as a return address.
KEY QUOTE # 234 Q: What did you do next, after making those observations?
# 235 A: I used a phone to call my watch commander.
# 236 Q: Who was your watch commander?
# 237 A: Sergeant David Rossi.
# 238 Q: Now, you usually carry what's called a "rover," do you not?
# 240 Q: And what is a rover?
# 241 A: It's a radio, like a walkie-talkie.
# 242 Q: And would that have put you in communication with your watch commander, also?
# 244 Q: And you chose not to use that at that time?
# 246 Q: And why was that?
# 247 A: Because the media has scanners and they
scan our frequency. If I would have used my radio, told them exactly what I had, the media would have got there before anybody else.
# 248 Q: After you made this phone call, what, if anything, did you do next?
# 249 A: I went back outside, told my partner to grab the witnesses, and I went around down the walkway, around the north side in the neighbor's yard.
# 250 Q: If I can hold up a little bit. How did you exit the house then?
# 251 A: Through the front door and down the landing.
# 252 Q: And how did you go down the landing and the walkway, once again?
# 253 A: Staying to the far left, away from the blood, stepped over the female.
# 254 Q: To the best of your knowledge, did you ever put your foot in the blood at any time?
# 256 Q: Did you ever observe your partner?
# 258 Q: And when you headed back out that sidewalk, was it in the same bushy area to the south side of the sidewalk?
# 259 A: We just stepped over the bushes and went through the grass.
# 260 Q: What, avoiding the sidewalk at all times?
# 262 Q: As you arrived back out on the street, then, after exiting the house, what, if any further action, did you take?
# 263 A: I personally went north in the neighbor's yard, to the north of the male body, and observed the pager laying on the ground. And I checked to see if he was alive.
# 264 Q: First of all, how did you approach the vicinity north of the enclosed area when you went there?
# 265 A: A dirt path that leads back to the fence.
# 266 Q: Is that a clear path?
# 267 A: Clear as a path with nothing on it.
# 268 Q: And did you have your flashlight on at that point?
# 270 Q: Were you using it at that point?
# 272 Q: In what manner were you using the flashlight as you approached that area north of the gated area of 875 South Bundy?
# 273 A: I shined it on the ground and in the bushes, make sure I didn't mess up any evidence.
# 274 Q: Were you looking for additional evidence, if any?
# 276 Q: Did you see any evidence prior to arriving at the gate, on the outside, on the north side?
# 277 A: Just his pager, or a pager.
# 278 Q: Did you look in the vicinity elsewhere outside the gated area, also, north of the enclosed area?
# 280 Q: And did you look in the vicinity east of the gated area towards the front of 875 Bundy with your flashlight, also?
# 282 Q: When you say you were using a flashlight, Officer, what type of flashlight is that, by the way?
# 283 A: It's extremely light; it's aluminum. It's about 30,000 candle power.
KEY QUOTE # 284 Q: That's standard police issue.
# 285 A: You have to buy it yourself.
# 287 Q: Standard police issue if you pay for it?
# 288 A: Standard police issue would be plastic.
# 289 Q: Okay. So this was much stronger than a standard police-issue flashlight?
# 291 Q: Powerful flashlight?
# 293 Q: You personally bought it for that reason?
# 295 Q: Now, after approaching on the north side there, in making these observations in the immediate vicinity, what, if anything, did you do next?
# 296 A: I checked Mr. Goldman to see if he was alive.
# 299 Q: And in what manner did you check?
# 300 A: I touched his eyeball with my finger, checking for involuntary blinking, or I used my light to illuminate his pupil. And there was no dilation or anything.
KEY QUOTE # 301 Q: And you were still on the north side, outside the gated area, at this point?
# 303 Q: And at that point, where you're with your light, were you able to observe the glove you had seen earlier, also?
# 306 A: I believe the bush was covering the hat.
# 307 Q: Were you able to see any other items of what appeared to you to be evidence at this time, when you shined your light around?
# 309 Q: And then did -- did you leave that area?
# 311 Q: And what did you do next?
# 312 A: I went back out to the street. As I did so, Officer Wally and officer McGowan arrived.
# 313 Q: And did anybody else?
# 314 A: Initially, just those. And then Sergeant Coon arrived a couple of seconds later.
# 315 Q: When Wally and McGowan arrived, were they patrol officers, also --
# 319 Q: Driving a black and white?
# 321 Q: And where did they park their car?
# 322 A: On the west side of the street, north of, probably, 873.
# 323 Q: That's on the same side as 875 South Bundy?
# 325 Q: And shortly after they arrived, did someone else arrive there, also?
# 327 Q: And by the way, Sergeant Coon, that's not the same one from the Rodney King case?
# 329 Q: Okay. Now, when he arrived, did you have a discussion with him?
# 331 Q: And what, if anything, did you tell them?
# 332 A: I just told them we had a double homicide, and where I was, basically. And Sergeant
Coon gave out marching orders.
# 333 Q: What were the marching orders that Sergeant Coon gave out?
# 334 A: Officer Terrazas was at the rear location, to secure the rear. Officer McGowan started setting up crime-scene tape, and Officer Wally and I entered the house and searched it.
# 335 Q: Taking these one step at a time, did you see how Officer Terrazas left for the rear of the house?
# 336 A: He left southbound, Bundy and Dorothy.
# 337 Q: And Dorothy up to the alleyway?
# 338 A: I saw him go southbound on Bundy.
# 339 Q: And did you see McGowan start setting up the crime-scene tape?
# 341 Q: By the way, prior to June 13, 1994, had you been the first officer on the scene on prior occasions?
# 343 Q: Approximately how many times?
# 344 A: To crime scenes?
# 347 Q: And how many of those 20 crime scenes were actually homicides?
# 349 Q: All right. And at those 15 homicides, was it your primary responsibility of identifying evidence and observing a crime scene?
# 351 Q: Now, going back to Officer McGowan, did you see him actually start using the crime-scene tape to secure the front of 875 South Bundy?
# 353 MR. KELLY: Steve, may I see 133, please.
Bring it a little more in focus, if possible.
# 354 Q: (BY MR. KELLY) Officer, do you recognize that location?
# 356 Q: Is that the front of 875 South Bundy?
# 358 Q: I was wondering if you could step down a minute; it might be easier for you to point out a couple things. The pointer is behind you there.
Once again, can you indicate when you first arrived at the scene, you spoke to those two people, when you first looked for the body you had been directed to.
# 359 A: In the grassy area, over here. (Indicating.)
# 360 Q: And later on, you had indicated that when you came out of the house the second time, you were going to the sidewalk north of 875 South Bundy, to approach the gated area from the outside?
# 361 A: It was a dirt path, not a sidewalk.
# 362 Q: Well, do you see that area there?
# 363 A: It's like, right in here. (Indicating.)
# 364 Q: That's where you proceeded up and observed Mr. Goldman?
# 366 Q: Okay. Thank you. You may have a seat. The way that crime-scene tape, that's the way it was taped off that morning after McGowan was done?
# 367 A: Yes. There's actually two separate areas were taped.
# 368 Q: And if I could see . . .
Do you recognize that photograph, Officer?
# 370 Q: And what is that?
# 371 A: That's the rear alley of 875 Bundy.
# 372 Q: And the crime-scene tape -- first of all, that yellow tape is the crime-scene tape, is it not?
# 374 Q: And that tape that is closest to us, do you know what is standing across there?
# 375 A: It's the foot of the alley of Dorothy.
# 376 Q: And there's crime-scene tape down at that distance, also?
# 378 Q: Where is that located relative to 875 South Bundy?
# 379 A: That's the rear of one house north of 875 South Bundy.
# 380 Q: Can you just point out that tape that you see at the far end.
# 381 (Witness complies, indicating.) # 382 Q: There's a black-and-white patrol car in that photo, also. Is that inside the tape or outside?
# 383 A: It's outside the tape.
# 384 Q: And do you recognize the individual in that picture, also?
# 386 Q: And where are you standing relative to the rear of 875 South Bundy?
# 387 A: To the rear of the driveway.
# 388 Q: After the front and rear had been secured of this crime scene with the tape you indicated that you and Police Officer Wally did something that Sergeant Coon --
# 389 A: We searched the house while the crime-scene tape was being set up.
# 390 Q: And can you describe for us the manner in which you entered and searched the house with Officer Wally?
# 391 A: We went in the grassy area, stepped over the body of the female at the landing of the front door.
# 392 Q: Upon entering the front of the house, what did you do then?
# 393 A: We searched the lower level, back to the garage. Then we went up to the second level and searched that.
# 394 Q: Can you describe exactly how you went through the first level of the house?
# 395 A: We went -- we checked the living room farthest east. Then we went back to the garage, went down and checked in the garage.
# 396 Q: Did you -- in the living room, do you recall what living -- what room you went into next?
# 397 A: The dining room, then the kitchen.
# 398 Q: The kitchen where you made the phone call, by the way?
# 401 MR. KELLY: Can I see . . .
# 402 Q: (BY MR. KELLY) Do you recognize that photo there, Officer?
# 403 A: That's the kitchen of 875 South Bundy.
# 404 Q: That's where you made the call to Sergeant Rossi?
# 405 A: Right. You can't see it; there's a counter on this side you can't see.
# 406 Q: To the left of that picture?
# 408 Q: That's where the phone was?
# 410 Q: That's where you made the call.
# 411 MR. KELLY: You can take that down.
# 412 Q: (BY MR. KELLY) After you went through the kitchen with Officer Walsh, where did you proceed to next?
# 413 A: To the rear of the residence. That's a family-room area. Searched that. Then we went down to the garage.
# 414 Q: And did you make any observations as you approached the garage?
# 415 A: There's a couple of ice creams sitting on a bannister.
# 416 Q: Did you touch that at all?
# 418 Q: Did you touch anything on the first floor, as you went through the house?
# 420 Q: By the way, as you went through the house, did you observe any signs of ransacking, disturbance, blood, bloody footprints, drops of blood anywhere on the first floor of the house?
# 422 Q: And when you arrived at the garage, you went through the garage, also?
# 424 Q: What, if anything, did you observe in there?
# 425 A: Just a car. Nothing really out of ordinary.
# 426 Q: Nothing disturbed?
# 428 Q: Where did you proceed to next?
# 429 A: It was a laundry room, and then I believe a maid's quarters are downstairs, checked them. Then I went up to the second floor.
# 430 Q: What did you observe up there?
# 431 A: Observed two children asleep in their beds.
# 432 Q: Were these children in the same room or separate rooms?
# 434 Q: And were they both asleep at that time?
# 436 Q: Were you able to make any observations as to the approximate age of these two children?
# 442 Q: And were the doors open or closed to each of their rooms?
# 444 Q: And did you wake the children at this time?
# 446 Q: After observing the children, what next?
# 447 A: We continued eastbound and checked out the master bedroom, master bath. There was a workout area.
# 448 Q: What, if any, observations did you make in the master bedroom?
# 449 A: There was a TV on. I believe there was a table lamp on. The covers on the bed were kind of piled in the middle.
# 450 Q: The bed wasn't made, was it?
# 452 Q: You also indicated you went into the master bathroom?
# 454 Q: What observations did you make in there?
# 455 A: The tub was full of water, and there were some candles burning to the west of that.
# 456 Q: Do you recall how many candles were burning at this time?
# 458 Q: Did you blow them out at all?
# 460 Q: Did you touch them?
# 462 Q: Did you touch the water in the bathtub?
# 464 Q: Did you let the water out of that bathtub?
# 466 Q: Was there any sign of any struggle, ransacking, dishevelment in the house as you went through it at this time?
# 468 Q: No indication that the crime scene extended to the second floor in any way?
# 470 Q: After going through the second floor, what, if any, action did you take next with Officer Walsh?
# 471 A: Went up on the roof -- there's a patio up there -- and checked that. And then Officer Walsh stayed by the children's bedrooms, and I went down and told my supervisor we had two children in the house. And we had to take them out the back.
# 472 Q: Who was your supervisor?
# 474 Q: And where did you meet him at?
# 475 A: He was down in the grassy area. I was on the landing. I just yelled to him.
# 476 Q: And after you told him that, what, if anything, did you do next?
# 477 A: I walked westbound on the walkway, to the rear gate.
# 478 Q: Now, facing the front of 875 South Bundy, this walkway you're referring to, where is it in relation to the front of the house?
# 479 A: It's to the north of the front of the house.
# 480 Q: Would that be to the right of it?
# 482 Q: And does that walkway extend all the way from the front of the house to the rear alley?
# 484 Q: And is that a level walkway, or is it different levels?
# 485 A: No, there's different levels.
# 486 Q: And as you started back that walkway, did you have your flashlight on or off?
# 488 Q: And at that time, did you make any observations as you started back on the walkway?
# 489 A: I observed what appeared to be bloody footprints continue westbound, and they faded approximately halfway, and observed what appeared to be blood drops.
# 490 Q: And you indicated earlier that when you first approached the front door, you had also seen bloody footprints and a blood drop to the left of those footprints; is that right?
# 492 Q: Did you take a good look at that first blood drop, first of all, that you observed next to the footprints?
# 493 A: Just to verify if it was blood or not.
# 494 Q: Can you describe that blood drop, as you saw it.
# 495 A: It was red, appeared to be moist, about maybe the size of a dime, a little smaller than a dime.
# 496 Q: Was it fresh blood?
# 497 A: Appeared to be fresh.
# 498 MR. BLASIER: Objection. No foundation.
# 499 THE COURT: Excuse me?
# 500 MR. BLASIER: Excuse me. No foundation.
# 501 THE COURT: "Moist" may mean fresh. Sustained
# 502 Q: (BY MR. KELLY) You observed blood down by the two bodies on the lower level?
# 504 Q: Can you describe that blood drop in relation to the other blood you observed on the other level?
# 505 A: They were very similar, looked to be the same.
# 506 Q: In terms of consistency?
# 512 Q: Red. In your opinion, it was --
# 514 MR. BLASIER: Objection. No foundation.
# 515 THE COURT: That it was blood, overruled.
# 516 Q: (BY MR. KELLY) And as you headed towards the back of 875 South Bundy, towards the alley, you indicated you observed additional drops of blood, also?
# 518 Q: You had occasion to look at them at this time?
# 519 A: Just so -- I passed them, so I wouldn't step in them.
# 520 Q: Would you be able to describe those other drops of blood that you saw, also?
# 521 A: They were consistent in nature to the first one. It was red, appeared to be moist.
# 523 A: I don't -- really don't recall the size.
# 524 Q: But they were consistent with the first ones you'd seen, also?
# 526 MR. BLASIER: Objection. Leading.
# 527 THE COURT: Overruled
# 528 Q: (BY MR. KELLY) Did they appear to be -- did it appear to be new blood?
# 529 A: Appeared to be fresh.
# 530 MR. BLASIER: Objection. No foundation.
# 531 THE COURT: New blood. Sustained.
# 533 A: Appeared to be fresh.
# 534 Q: Now, as you approached the rear of 875 South Bundy, is there anything in the alley there or in the walkway there? I'm sorry.
# 535 A: There's a gate at the rear of the walkway.
# 536 Q: And as you approached that gate, did you make any observations of that rear gate at that time?
# 537 A: I observed it to be blood on the inside of the rear gate. And I was advised there was blood on the outside of the gate by my partner.
# 538 Q: First of all, as you approached the gate --
# 539 MR. BLASIER: Objection. Move to strike as hearsay.
# 540 THE COURT: Strike what?
# 541 MR. BLASIER: Part of the answer where he talked about what his partner told him.
# 542 THE COURT: What his partner said, that's stricken.
# 543 Q: (BY MR. KELLY) You had your flashlight on as you approached the rear gate?
# 545 Q: And you indicated that you observed blood on different portions of the gate at that time?
# 547 Q: Did you shine your flashlight?
# 549 Q: Can you tell us where on the rear gate the blood was located when you observed it with your flashlight?
# 550 A: I observed what looked like a smear on the top and a couple drops on the bottom, and a smear on the ledge.
# 551 Q: And can you describe the appearance of that blood you saw in those different places?
# 552 A: Appeared to be fresh, red, consistent with the rest of the blood.
# 555 Q: And you indicated that you had a discussion at that time with your partner, Terrazas --
# 557 Q: -- who was at rear gate.
As a result of that conversation, did you make any further observation about that back gate?
# 558 A: There was blood on the grating on the outside of the gate.
# 559 Q: And can you describe that blood on the grating on the outside appeared, also?
# 560 A: Appeared to be fresh and moist, consistent with the rest of the blood.
# 563 MR. KELLY: Steve, if I could see number 81, please.
# 564 Q: (BY MR. KELLY) Now, Officer, looking at that gate, do you recognize that?
# 566 Q: And what is that gate?
# 567 A: That's the rear of the walkway; that's the rear alley there.
# 568 Q: And that would have been as you approached that gate --
# 570 Q: -- down the walkway.
# 571 MR. KELLY: And now, Steve, if I could see number 82.
# 572 Q: (BY MR. KELLY) Do you recognize what appears in that photograph?
# 573 A: It appears to be the bottom rung of the gate, with blood drops on it.
# 574 Q: Do you recognize the bottom rung of the gate being the same blood that you observed in the early morning hours of June 13, 1994?
# 576 Q: Did you observe blood in the same location in that picture that you observed in the early morning hours of June 13, 1994?
# 578 Q: And can you point to the blood that you observed on the gate at that time and that place.
# 579 A: Those two spots. (Indicating.)
# 580 Q: Now, looking at that photograph, does the blood appear there the same as it appeared that night when you observed it in the early morning hours?
# 581 A: It appears to be in the same spot. It's obviously dry.
# 582 MR. KELLY: 142, Steve.
# 583 Q: (BY MR. KELLY) Now, do you recognize that photograph?
# 584 A: That's the top of the gate, with a blood smear.
# 585 Q: Is that on the inside?
# 587 Q: And is that -- does that blood smear appear in that photograph there the same way it was the early morning hours of June 13, 1994?
# 589 Q: In the same location?
# 591 Q: Does it physically appear the same, though?
# 593 Q: Okay. Was it red in color?
# 594 A: It was red there. It was just a smear.
# 595 MR. KELLY: Number 85, Steve.
# 596 Q: (BY MR. KELLY) Do you recognize that as being the outside of the same gate at 875 South Bundy?
# 598 Q: And is that the gate that Officer Terrazas brought your attention to?
# 600 Q: Okay. And after him drawing your attention to that rear gate, did you make an observation?
# 601 A: There's blood on the grating.
# 602 Q: Do you recall approximately what location that was in?
# 603 A: It was towards the bottom, middle.
# 604 Q: Would you indicate with your pointer approximately where it was.
# 605 A: It was in this area here. (Indicating.)
# 606 MR. KELLY: And number 86, please, Steve.
# 607 Q: (BY MR. KELLY) Do you recognize that photograph, Officer?
# 609 Q: And what is that?
# 610 A: That's blood on the grating.
# 611 Q: Does that physically appear the same in that photograph as it was when you saw in the early morning hours of June 13, 1994?
# 613 Q: Even the color and the texture?
# 614 A: No. It appears to be dry in this picture.
# 615 Q: Was it dry when you observed it that morning?
# 616 A: No; it was fresh, red, appeared to be moist.
# 617 Q: Now, after making those observations -- by the way, did you shine your flashlight on those various portions of the blood on the gate we just discussed?
# 619 Q: Did Police Officer Terrazas also put a flashlight on those areas, too?
# 621 Q: And did you observe those areas at the same time?
# 622 A: As he directed my attention to it, yes.
# 623 Q: After making those observations on the rear gate, what, if anything, did you do next?
# 624 A: I told my partner that we were going to bring the kids out the garage, and I asked him if it would disturb any evidence if we opened the garage. And he said no.
# 625 Q: Did you actually walk over to look at the garage door when you could bring them out?
# 627 Q: Did you make any other observations in the garage door vicinity before bringing the children out?
# 628 A: He just told me there was blood on the driveway. And I told him to stay away from it.
# 629 Q: Did you actually go and look at the blood at that time?
# 631 Q: Did you see any vehicles in the area?
# 632 A: Not at that time.
# 633 Q: After being told about the blood in the driveway by Police Officer Terrazas, what, if anything, did you do next?
# 634 A: I went back in the residence. I went eastbound on the walkway and through the front door.
# 635 Q: When you say "eastbound on the walkway," was that the same walkway with the bloody footprints and blood drops that you had observed earlier?
# 637 Q: Did you take measures to avoid those footprints and drops?
# 639 Q: Did anybody accompany you back to that walkway at that time?
# 641 Q: And when you went to the house, did you enter the house alone at that time, also?
# 643 Q: And who, if anybody, was in the house when you entered at that time?
# 644 A: Officer Walsh was up by the children's bedroom.
# 645 Q: Nobody else had come in through that front area of the crime scene at this time, had they?
# 647 Q: You went up with Officer Wally, back in the house, at this time?
# 649 Q: What, if anything, did you do next, after you went up with him?
# 650 A: We woke up the female and had her get dressed. Then we woke up the little boy and had him get dressed. Then we went out through the garage.
# 651 Q: And how long did it take you to, first of all, wake up the little girl and get her dressed?
# 652 A: Just a few minutes.
# 653 Q: And she was asleep --
# 655 Q: -- when you first went in there.
And then you went and woke up the little boy?
# 657 Q: And was the little girl with you when you did that?
# 659 Q: And did she assist you in any way with the little boy?
# 660 A: She helped us get him dressed. He was kind of upset.
# 661 Q: And after you had them woke up and dressed, what, if anything, did you do next?
# 662 A: Went down, out through the garage, and we went down the alley and met up with another officer.
# 663 Q: And who were those officers that you met up with?
# 664 A: Officers Heider and Vasquez.
# 665 Q: And you turned the children over to them?
# 667 Q: And what was your understanding as to where they were taking the children?
# 668 A: To the police station.
# 669 Q: What did you do next, Officer, after you had the children taken to the police station?
# 670 A: I went back to the driveway area and I saw the blood my partner was referring to, and I saw the door of the vehicle in the driveway, the jeep, to be ajar.
# 671 Q: First of all, the blood that you observed that Terrazas pointed you to, did you put your flashlight on it at that time?
# 673 Q: Did you make any observations, or could you describe the blood as you saw it at that time?
# 674 A: It just appeared to be a fresh, red spot of blood.
# 675 Q: Was it consistent with the drops you had seen earlier in the walkway?
# 677 Q: Okay. What, if anything, did you do next, Officer?
# 678 A: Then I went to the front of 875 South Bundy and I met with Sergeant Coon.
# 679 Q: That was after going up and down the alleyway?
# 680 A: That was before.
# 681 Q: And Sergeant Coon -- did you receive any other instructions?
# 682 A: Sergeant Rossi arrived, and we showed him the crime scene in the front; then we went around the back.
# 683 Q: First of all, who is Sergeant Rossi?
# 684 A: He was a watch commander at West L.A.
# 685 Q: Do you know approximately what time it was that he arrived?
# 687 Q: When you say you showed him the crime scene in front, first of all, what did you actually show him?
# 688 A: We went up on the grassy area, and I pointed out the female, and the male, and the envelope, and the glove, and the hat.
# 689 Q: When you say you pointed out, in what manner did you point out to Sergeant Rossi?
# 690 A: I illuminated it with my flashlight.
# 691 Q: And in illuminating these items, did you have occasion to illuminate the areas -- items in the vicinity of that area, also?
# 693 Q: Did you observe any other items in the immediate vicinity at this time --
# 695 Q: -- inside the gated area?
# 697 Q: Anywhere outside the gated area?
# 699 Q: Did you look with your flashlight?
# 701 Q: Now, after showing Sergeant Rossi the front crime-scene area, what, if anything, did you do?
# 702 A: We walked down to Dorothy and went to the rear alley. Then we went up to the rear driveway, showed them the blood and the door that was ajar to the vehicle, and the rear gate.
# 703 Q: When you say the blood, first of all, you're referring to the drop of blood you observed in the driveway?
# 705 Q: And what, if anything, did you show him when you went to the rear gate?
# 706 A: Showed him the blood on the outside and on the inside of the rear gate.
# 707 Q: And you showed him all the drops that you pointed out earlier to the jury?
# 709 Q: And who else was there, if anybody, with you and Sergeant Rossi at that time?
# 710 A: I believe Sergeant Coon was there, and my partner, Officer Terrazas was there.
# 711 Q: Now, after making these observations with Sergeant Rossi, what, if anything, did you do next?
# 712 A: Sergeant Rossi and I went down on the walkway, approximately halfway to where the footprints ended, and I just showed them to him. Then we went back out to the alley.
# 713 Q: I assume you were careful not to disturb the footprints of blood?
# 714 MR. BLASIER: Objection. Leading.
# 715 THE COURT: Sustained.
# 716 Q: (BY MR. KELLY) Did you take measures to avoid the footsteps and drops of blood at that time?
# 718 Q: And Officer Rossi, also?
# 720 Q: Did you then exit the rear gate?
# 722 Q: After exiting with Sergeant Rossi, what, if anything, did do you next?
# 723 A: Went back up to the front and just waited for the detectives.
# 724 Q: And did there come a time that detectives arrived there?
# 726 Q: And would you be able to -- first of all, when you went back out front with Sergeant Rossi, could you tell me at this time whether any other police officers had arrived on the scene?
# 728 Q: And could you tell me which officers had arrived there at that time, when you went back out front with Sergeant Rossi?
# 729 A: Officer Ashton and his partner, Officer Gonzalez, Officer Goriossi, and Seigler, Officers Sanchez and Cummings.
# 730 Q: Okay. Officers Heidler and Vasquez had been there, also?
# 731 A: They had been there to pick up the children, that was it.
# 732 Q: Okay. And I believe you indicated Sergeants Rossi and Coon were there, also, as well as you and your partner, Terrazas?
# 734 Q: So it would be fair to say that at that point when you returned out front, there had been approximately 14 police officers at the scene at that time?
# 736 Q: And on more than one occasion, with other officers, you had approached the front area of 875 South Bundy and illuminated the entire area?
# 738 Q: And that you had also approached the walkway north of 875 Bundy at the gated area, and illuminated that entire area, also, correct?
# 740 MR. BLASIER: Objection. Leading.
# 741 THE COURT: Counsel, let the witness testify.
# 742 Q: (BY MR. KELLY) You indicated that you arrived at the front of 875 South Bundy with Sergeant Rossi, awaiting the arrival of the detectives.
# 744 Q: Did any detectives ever arrive?
# 746 Q: Approximately how long after you had first arrived on that scene did detectives arrive to South Bundy?
# 747 A: Possibly two hours.
# 748 Q: And which detectives arrived at that time?
# 749 A: Phillips and Fuhrman.
# 750 Q: Detective Phillips and Detective Fuhrman?
# 752 Q: And what was Detective Phillips' position at that time?
# 753 A: He's the lead homicide detective for West L.A.
# 754 Q: And Detective Fuhrman was?
# 756 Q: And what, if anything, did you do upon their arrival there at the scene, at that time?
# 757 A: Briefly went over what we had, and took them up to the front of the crime scene, showed them that -- took them around to the north side to show them Mr. Goldman's body and the pager, and we went
around the rear alley.
# 758 Q: When you say you showed them the front of the crime scene, how did you do that, once again?
# 759 A: Used my flashlight to illuminate the body of both victims and the evidence.
# 760 Q: What evidence did you illuminate?
# 761 A: The envelope the glove and the hat. Then, on the north side, the pager and Mr. Goldman's body.
# 763 Q: And you said you illuminated the north side. Did you approach that separately with Fuhrman and Phillips, also?
# 765 Q: And approaching the north side, outside the gated area, did you illuminate the vicinity?
# 767 Q: Now, did you on observe any items of evidence as you came up that side?
# 769 Q: Other than the pager, nothing else?
# 771 Q: That was your second time up there with your flashlight?
# 773 Q: Now, you then proceeded to the rear of South Bundy?
# 775 Q: What, if anything, did you do at the rear of 875 South Bundy with Fuhrman and Phillips?
# 776 A: Showed them the vehicle, the blood on the driveway, blood on the gate.
# 777 Q: When you say you showed them the blood on the driveway, what manner did you point it out to them?
# 778 A: With my flashlight.
# 779 Q: Was anybody else with you besides Phillips and Fuhrman?
# 781 Q: And after pointing out the blood in the driveway, where did you go to next?
# 782 A: To the gate, with Detective Fuhrman.
# 783 Q: And you indicated you showed them the blood on the gate at that time?
# 785 Q: What manner did you show him the blood on the gate at that time?
# 786 A: Using my flashlight.
# 787 Q: You showed all the blood spots that we had displayed earlier?
# 788 A: On the gate, right.
# 789 Q: And while you were at the back gate with Detective Fuhrman, what, if anything, did Sergeant Rossi and Detective Phillips do?
# 790 A: They walked approximately halfway up the walkway, to, I assume, where the blood drops, the footsteps ended.
# 792 A: Then they came back out.
# 793 Q: And did you show the blood on the back gate to Sergeant Rossi?
# 795 Q: And was Sergeant Phillips there also, when the blood on the back gate was pointed out?
# 796 A: Detective Phillips.
# 797 Q: Detective Phillips?
# 798 A: Initially when I showed it to Sergeant Rossi, he wasn't. When I was standing there with Fuhrman, he was.
# 799 Q: After they returned back to the rear gate area, Rossi and Phillips, what, if anything, did you do next, sir?
# 800 A: Detective Phillips, Detective Fuhrman, myself, entered the house through the garage. And we did a walk-through on the house, and we went out on the front landing.
# 801 Q: When you first all -- when you went to do a walk-through of the house, did you go through the entire house, as you had on the prior occasion with Wally?
# 803 MR. KELLY: You want to take a break now?
# 804 THE COURT: Ten-minute recess.
Don't talk about the case; don't form or express any opinions.